WASHINGTON -- Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Class A Potomac on Thursday night. Manager Dusty Baker would like to see Zimmerman play three games and then rejoin the Major League team in time to play the Indians starting Tuesday.

Zimmerman has been on the disabled list since July 8 because of a strained left rib cage. He had problems with the rib cage during his third at-bat against the Brewers on July 6, a game in which he went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs.

Zimmerman says that he feels better and is looking forward to rejoining the Nationals.

"It feels pretty good," Zimmerman said. "I think whenever you're coming back from anything, you're always a little cautious at first whether you're 100 percent or not. I think that's the point of getting out there and hitting and proving to yourself that you can kind of let it go and everything's fine."

Bill Ladson has covered the Nationals/Expos for MLB.com since 2002 and writes an MLBlog, All Nats All the Time. He also can be found on Twitter @WashingNats. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.